ST. LOUIS -- The Cubs don't have many backup options at third base with Aramis Ramirez sidelined at least one month because of a dislocated shoulder. Lou Piniella has been considering the possibilities.

"The only other option we would have -- and you all are going to like this one -- is move [Alfonso] Soriano to second and [Micah] Hoffpauir to left," Piniella said Thursday. "Hopefully, it doesn't get to that. That, again, is a measure of last resort."

What has to happen for the Cubs to do that?

"We'll explore all our other options [first]," Piniella said. "I feel very comfortable with our outfield with Soriano in left field. I want to get Hoffpauir in the lineup. I want to give everybody else the opportunity to swing the bats the way they're capable. I've talked about it with Alan [Trammell, bench coach]. I would think it's a very remote possibility, but we'll see."